Ryan Garko
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|---|---|
| Cleveland Indians — No. 25 | |
| First Baseman | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
| September 18, 2005 for the Cleveland Indians | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through 2006) |
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| AVG | .290 |
| RBI | 45 |
| HR | 7 |
| Former teams | |
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Ryan F. Garko (born January 2, 1981 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a first baseman for the Cleveland Indians.
A graduate of Stanford University, Garko was selected as a catcher by Cleveland in the 3rd round (78th overall) of the 2003 amateur draft. After displaying superb batting skills at every level of the minors, Garko made his major-league debut as a pinch-hitter on September 18, 2005 against the Kansas City Royals. He struck out in his only at-bat.
Garko was back in Cleveland the next season, called up on June 30, 2006. He earned his first major league hit and RBI before being demoted back to AAA Buffalo.
Garko was called up a second time on August 8, 2006 and played in the majority of the remaining games, most at first base and many batting clean-up (fourth). He finished 2006 with a .292 batting average and 45 RBI in just 50 games.
He is considered one of the best hitting prospects in the Indians farm system, but may have trouble finding a place to play every day at the big leagues in 2007. Garko is a former catcher, but the Indians have All-Star catcher Victor Martinez. Garko could possibly split time at first base with outfielder / first baseman Casey Blake. However, Martinez has also started playing first base on his days off from behind the plate, which could limit Garko's appearances there if the Indians favor the veteran Blake. Finally, designated hitter opportunities are limited, since that is primarily Travis Hafner's position.
